Meninga Cup, Cyril Connell, Harvey U19s Teams of the Week

A Broncos signed schoolboy who has been given a licence to roam has been named in our Meninga Cup; Connell Challenge and Harvey 19s Teams of the Week following round 2.

Some of the Cyril Connell Challenge, Mal Mening Cup and Harvey Norman under-19s standouts from round 2.

Western Clydesdales playmaker Braithen Scott has been given a license to roam after a five-star performance in his team’s Meninga Cup season opener against Wide Bay Bulls on Saturday.

Signed by the Brisbane Broncos, the headgear wearing mighty mite from St Mary’s College wore the No.1 jersey but bobbed in and out of the front line in a performance which helped tip his side over the line against the Bulls, 24-22.

Braithen Scott attacks.

ROUND 2 REPORT HERE

There was not a struck match between the teams but Clydesdales coach Ned Murphy said Scott was the difference.

He played halfback for both his school and for the Queensland under 15 schoolboys last season, but Murphy has swung him to fullback to start the season - all the while giving him freedom to roam.

“He is just a footy player so he jumps into first receiver when he wants and ducks out when he wants to. He has the reign to go where he likes,’’ Murphy said.

RELATED LINKS

ROUND 1 TEAM OF THE WEEK; ROOSTERS SIGN SCHOOLBOY

ROUND 2 TEAMS HERE

ROUND 1 REPORT HERE

Scott was one of elite performers across the Meninga Cup, Connell Challenge and Harvey 19s action which included:

Mattisse Bettridge and Lily-Rose Kolc (Burleigh 19s): Bears coach Spencer Taplin was happy with these two after his side kept the Magpies to 0.

“My half Mattisse showed a lot of growth and direction within her role, and hooker Lily-Rose Kolc showed her experience at crucial times,” Taplin said after keeping the ‘Pies to “a donut.”

Xavier Kerrisk (Cutters): It is little wonder the North Queensland Cowboys cast their eyes over Kerrisk. The St Patrick’s College, Mackay, product was outstanding in last year’s Connell Challenge and gallant in a beaten side against the powerful Blackhawks on Saturday.

Ignatius Park players Jamal Shibasaki and Matthew Hunter with the Arron Payne Cup after last year’s clash. Picture: Evan Morgan

Kaiden Lahrs, Jamal Shibasaki and Tavita Penaia Te’o (Blackhawks): The Townsville side had its middle all sorted with this group of mobile big men who have the agility of edge forwards playing in the middle.

Mutua Brown (Capras): The Cowboys signed fullback from St Brendan’s College is one of the best players in this age group and showed why again despite playing in a beaten side.

Charlie Coates, Darcy Snowden and Jackson Koina (Falcons): The middle men laid foundations for the Sunshine Coast Falcons’ Connell win on Sunday against Ipswich.

Bailey McConnell during the Mal Meninga Cup clash against Souths Logan.

Bailey McConnell (Bears): The little general was in everything for the Burleigh side, organising his side and impacting the match with his individual skills.

Kanititeiti Sikahele (Bears): Talk about big hearted. At one stage Sikahele carried the ball three times in a set of six as he confronted a Souths Logan middle looking for redemption.

Abby Bowman (Cutters): The Harvey Norman under 19s from Mackay got the job done with Bowman the spearhead on the edge.

The Harvey Norman 19s girls from last season - this year is another exciting crop.

Dom Sandow (Jets): Yes the busy fullback did some “serious Ks” according to his coach Shane Harris and offered up some nice passing, but it was his talk at the back which was key as it organised the defensive line.

Iosefa Kolio (Jets): The big fella hit hard and often during his opening stint which laid foundations for the Jets successful first half performance.

Mackenzie Stephens (Pride): The Cutters may have had Bowman (see above) but the Northern Pride had their own edge threat, with Stephens a handful carrying the ball.

Harvey Norman under 19s girls rugby league match between Brisbane Tigers and Tweed Seagulls. Saturday February 25, 2022. Picture, John Gass

Montaya Hudson (Tigers): To win a premiership you need an x-factor player and Hudson is one of those players who can turn a match (More on Hudson below).

Arthur Folau (Magpies): Souths Logan were looking to rebound from a heavy round 1 defeat and Folau led a vastly improved middle third performance.

Rugby league young gun Lillian Yarrow.

Lillian Yarrow (Capras): The Capras Harvey Norman under 19s prevented a Blackhawks clean sweep and that was due in no small way to imposing middle forward Yarrow and Tori Dakin who came roaring off the bench.

Cheyenna Zirbel (Clydesdales): The Clydesdales under 19s got their season rolling against the Bulls, with fullback Zirbel and No.13 Chelsea Middleton outstanding.

Harvey Norman under 19s girls rugby league match between Brisbane Tigers and Tweed Seagulls. Saturday February 25, 2022. Picture, John Gass

In Brisbane, there was no shortage of x-factor players glimpsed as the junior statewide competitions made a full return.

Where better to start than at Kougari Oval?

In the Cyril Connell game between Norths and Wynnum-Manly, Devils’ halfback Timahna Tandy was brilliant. The headgeared playmaker was extra crafty, especially with the boot. He had his grubber kicks on a string, and sunk six-from-seven shots at goal to provide a 40-4 win.

Jared Horne of Wavell SHS and his Broncos jersey last year.

Wavell SHS lock Jared Horne looked like a man amongst boys out there. Just last year we met with Horne, Ben Uini, Charlie Dickson and Karl Oloapu of Wavell to chat about their opportunities with NRL clubs. Fast forward to now and the Year 10 has shot up like Jack’s Beanstalk. He is quick, tall, strong, and possesses a freakish offload. But coach Shannon Tupara said that was nothing new for Horne, who he expects to show up due to his fierce competitive nature.

Jared Horne in action during the Australian state schools national rugby league championship match between Queensland Maroon last year.

In what was his first game in the No.9 jersey, hooker Ryan Lopez found his feet quickly. In fact, he scored North’s first try of the day and from that point on had a presence around the park which Tupara commended post match. It was a tough day at the office for Wynnum but fullback Tawa-dean Simpkins continued to shine, returning the ball from the back with great tenacity. Bench reinforcement Cooper Young was also a handful when utilised off the interchange, so much so he was Wynnum’s Man of the Match.

In the Meninga Cup clash, Wynnum triumphed over North’s 22-16, with winger Sylas Simon stealing the show. In the first half, his defensive efforts were extraordinary, as was his catching under the high ball and pace when scoring his side’s second of the day.

Jeremy Trappett and Sylas Simon after the Meninga Cup win.

Beside the trysaving Simon was forward machine Beni Allen, A John Paul College alumni. Allen was relentless with his hit-ups, as was William Lane. Lane came off the bench and made some sort of impact and he was joined by winger Saxon Innes and forward Isopo Taunuu.

The effort from the Seagulls bench ultimately won them the match, and with their main man Coby Black and five-eighth William Herbert out, it was truly inspiring.

North’s winger Caleb Brown and lock Lauloto Salei stood tall in a losing side.

Norths player Lauloto Salei during the Meninga Cup under 18s clash between Norths and Brisbane Tigers last year.

And it did not go unnoticed by coach Rob Tanielu who made note of their attitude and effort for the entire 70.

In the Harvey 19s, Wynnum’s halves Sienna Lofipo and Jayde Herdegen got an automatic inclusion in our Team of the Week.

Redlands Rugby League junior Sienna Lofipo.

They just click, and jeez will it be hard to beat them on their day.

Lofipo, who is just as much of a menace on defence as offence, hit like a kitchen sink, while Herdegen was a two-try hero.

What a duo.

Five eighth Tayla Sykes shone bright in a losing side, but the overpowering presence of Seagulls forwards Fuatino Ah-Him, Trinity Veetutu, Hayley Bush and Alyssa McCarthy proved too much to handle, as the Devils fell short 30-6.

Tayla Sykes is also a weapon on the touch football field.

Across the way at Leo Williams Oval, the Tigers 19s had the help of four-try specialist Malaela Sua and Montaya Hudson, who scored two, to get them over the line 38-14 over Norths.

Tigers head coach Paul Nieuwenhuyzen had high praise for Sua, Hudson and halfback India Seeto after the comprehensive 24 point win.

Malaela Sua on the right. Harvey Norman under 19s girls rugby league match between Brisbane Tigers and Tweed Seagulls. Saturday February 25, 2022. Picture, John Gass

“She (Sua) was definitely the difference between the two sides. Her solid defence, her ability to break the line and the fact she is always around the ball at critical moments in general...

“I don’t expect to have her too long in the 19s,” Nieuwenhuyzen said about Sua potentially moving up to the BMD.

Hudson putting a kick in during the Harvey Norman under 19s girls rugby league match between Brisbane Tigers and Tweed Seagulls. Saturday February 25, 2022. Picture, John Gass

“Her (Hudson’s) support play and talk at the back at fullback and footwork was amazing. She has great footwork and she’s quite electric actually. She is just great for our team and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

“We spoke about support play during the week, and she scored two length of the field tries and set up a couple,” Nieuwenhuyzen said about Hudson honing in on her support play and putting it to the test on Saturday.

Montaya Hudson in the Harvey Norman under 19s girls rugby league match between Brisbane Tigers and Tweed Seagulls. Saturday February 25, 2022. Picture, John Gass

“India Seeto was great at half too. Her direction she gave us around the field again... She’s only 16 but she has a big future ahead of her.”

He said the way she led the team around and her organisation was very impressive.

Harvey Norman under 19s girls rugby league match between Brisbane Tigers and Tweed Seagulls. Saturday February 25, 2022. Picture, John Gass

In the Cyrill Connell clash, doubles from lock Max Blanch and second rower Palehehau Latu gave the Tigers an edge in their 46-6 win over the Tweed Seagulls.

Head coach Lote Tuqiri said his MVP’s were Blanch and halfback organiser and leader Elijah Breen with plenty of other quality performances.

Max Blanch, left, the Brisbane Tigers captain. On the right is forward Adam Kim.

Tigers head coach Lote Tuqiri said Max Blanch led really well from the front, “getting through a ton of work. He got the boys going. I thought our forwards laid the platform.

“Elijah Breen did really well for us in the halves. He led us around the park and had a great game.”

For Tweed, fullback Taj Lateo had a great first game in the No.1 jersey, making plenty of cover tackles at the back. Meanwhile, winger Boston Hubbard was rock solid, as was centre Dylan Watkins who gave 110 per cent regardless of the scoreboard.

The Tigers took a 36-10 win over the Seagulls in the Meninga Cup, thanks to the efforts of fullback Mason Barber, hooker William Saunders, and forwards Isaiah Scanlan and Baylen Donald.

Tweed hooker Will Saunders after a big game.

Seagulls head coach Sam Meskell said Barber had come to the club for an opportunity because he was stuck behind another really good fullback at Burleigh last year.

“We had an opening so we gave him an opportunity and he’s definitely talented. We are very happy to have him.

“He’d be a good chance at playing fullback for them (Keebra Park SHS) this year.

“Baylen Donald was a worker and it was a great reward for him getting a try. I thought our hooker Will Saunders was really good. He got us going forward and picked his times to run really well.

Harvey Norman under 19s girls rugby league match between Brisbane Tigers and Tweed Seagulls. Saturday February 25, 2022. Picture, John Gass

“Our front rower Isiah Scanlan laid that platform early and we played off the back of him,” Meskell said about his standouts.

The Tigers weren’t at the level we know they are capable of, but centre Dean Jones and forward Peter-James Su’A fought hard.

On Sunday, the Jets fronted the Sunshine Coast Falcons where in the Connell, centres Finn Kendall and Dennis Papua bagged doubles in a narrow 32-30 loss.

The Meninga Cup boys avenged the loss with a 32-22 win, courtsey of an Alton Naiyep hattrick on the wing, and a Dom Sandow showcase at fullback.

And finally in the 19s, the Jets came away 26-4 winners.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

MENINGA CUP

1. Mutua Brown (Capras), Mason Barber (Tweed) and Finn Lawson (Falcons)

2. Dam Sandow (Jets) and Sylas Simon (Wynnum-Manly)

3. Sunny Kama (Burleigh) and Joseph Meikle (Falcons)

4. Sam Stephenson (Burleigh)

5. Alton Naiyep (Jets)

6. Jack Lateo (Tweed)

7. Bailey McConnell (Burleigh)

8. Kanititeiti Sikahele (Burleigh) and Peter-James Su’A (Tigers)

9. Xavier Kerrick (Cutters) and William Saunders (Tweed)

10. Kaiden Lahrs (Blackhawks) and Isaiah Scanlan (Tweed

11. Tavita Penaia Te’o (Blackhawks)

12. Jamal Shibasaki (Blackhawks) and Baylen Donald (Tweed)

13. Iosefa Kolio (Jets)

Reserves:

Arthur Folau (Souths Logan)

Simon Green (Capras)

Mason Patterson (Cutters)

Rory Woodall (Cutters)

Nelson Kennedy (Blackhawks)

Jonah Raidaveta (Blackhawks)

CONNELL CHALLENGE

No.1 Braithen Scott (Clydesdales), Tawa-dean Simpkins (Wynnum-Manly) and Taj Lateo (Tweed)

No.2.Harrison Braithwaite (Bulls)

3. Joe Litidamu (Clydesdales)

4. Dennis Papua (Jets)

5. Seth Gundry (Bears) and Boston Hubbard (Tweed)

No.6 Flynn Battaia (Mackay)

No.7 Tyler Melrose (Capras), Timahna Tandy (Norths), Elijah Breen (Tigers)

No.13: Brodie Hilt (Clydesdales)

Edge Nelson Makaafi (Bears)

Edge: Diesel Taylor (Blackhawks)

8. Cohen Jackson (Cutters)

No.9 Cooper Deguara (Cutters)

10. Fa’apale Feaunati (Souths)

11. Cooper Young (Wynnum-Manly)

12. Jarah Chaseling (Norths) and Palehehau Latu (Tigers)

13. Jared Horne (Norths) and Max Blanch (Tigers)

Reserves:

Riley Maule (Bulls)

Kooper Shears (Mackay)

Marley Igasan (Bears)

Mace Andrew (Souths)

Ryan Charteris (Bulls)

Cooper Fletcher (Townsville)

Sitiveni AFU (Townsville)

Cooper Meares (Northern Pride)

Jackson Clarke (Northern Pride)

Jack Daniels (Northern Pride)

Charlie Coates (Falcons)

Darcy Snowden (Falcons)

Jackson Koina (Falcons):

Harvey Norman under 19 rugby league between Wynnum-Manly

HARVEY NORMAN UNDER-19S

Best Players

Cheyenna Zirbel (Clydesdales)

Chelsea Middleton (Clydesdales)

Jaida Faleono (Tweed)

Abby Bowman (Cutters)

MacKenzie Stephens (Pride)

Darcy Snowden (Falcons)

Rina Francis (Tigers)

Savannah Tato (Souths Logan)

Montaya Hudson (Tigers)

Malaela Sua (Tigers)

India Seeto (Tigers)

Lillian Yarrow (Capras)

Bailee Williams (Tigers)

Chelsea McLeod (Cutters)

Chloe Pallisler (Clydesdales)

Lhylla Williamson (Blackhawks)

Bonnie Zappa (Clydesdales)

Tomiko Hirakawa (Pride)

Aerielle Hobbler (Pride)

Lucy Davis (Clydesdales)

Tori Dakin (Capras)

Rianna Haverhoek (Clydesdales)

Jaydika Tafau (Souths Logan)

Charlie Coates (Falcons)

Jackson Koina (Falcons)

Chloe Rowe (Souths Logan)

Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Wynnum-Manly)

Jayde Herdegen (Wynnum-Manly)

Sienna Lofipo (Wynnum-Manly)

Harvey Norman under 19 rugby league between Wynnum-Manly and Norths Devils.